Japanese Imperial Family

This week’s Royal Central podcast looks ahead to the enthronement of the new Emperor of Japan. As well as the latest behind the scenes news on the guest list from our Deputy Editor, Brittani Barger, there’s also a debate about whether abdication is changing the way we view monarchies and questions about whether, in the 21st century, monarchs stepping aside is the preferred way of…

Empress Emerita Michiko of Japan, 84, is set to have breast cancer surgery on Sunday, according to the Imperial Household Agency.
Michiko has stage one breast cancer that has no clear signs of cancer metastasis. A mass on her left breast was discovered after a regular…

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan is currently on an unofficial visit to Canada to mark the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada.
The visit, which lasts from 23 August until 2 September, has been full of public events despite…

Crown Prince Fumihito, Crown Princess Kiko, and Prince Hisahito of Japan have concluded their visit to Bhutan and returned to Japan. It was the first overseas visit for 12-year-old Prince Hisahito, who is second in line to the Japanese throne.
The Crown Prince Family arrived in Bhutan on Saturday 17 August for a private trip on the invitation of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel where they were…

The young heirs to the Bhutanese and Japanese thrones met on Monday in Bhutan at the Lingkana Palace in Thimphu.
Prince Hisahito of Japan, 12, is on his first foreign visit alongside his parents, Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko. The Crown Prince Family…

US Vice President Mike Pence is set to attend Emperor Naruhito of Japan’s post-accession ceremony in October.
According to the Japan Times, a diplomatic source says Pence’s attendance is appropriate as then-Vice President Dan Quayle (under President George…

Crown Prince Fumihito of Japan said on Friday that the Imperial Family is limited in what they can do because of their ever declining numbers. He added that duties would have to be scaled down as a result.
“Those who are building international goodwill are decreasing, but in a way, there is nothing we can do. I think those among us who are able can only do so much,” he said.
His…

The marriage prospects of Japan’s Princess Mako of Akishino are unknown, her father, Crown Prince Fumihito revealed to the media on Saturday during a press conference ahead of his and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko’s official visit to Finland and Poland this next…

Japan’s Prince Hisahito of Akishino, 12, is due to undertake his first overseas trip to Bhutan alongside his parents, Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, in August.
Embed from Getty Images
This will mark the second-in-line to the Japanese throne’s…

Empress Emerita Michiko of Japan, 84, is set to undergo a heart examination according to the Imperial Household Agency on Friday.
The heart examination has been set up after Michiko’s blood test showed that she has a higher risk of heart failure. As a result, further tests will be administered at the Imperial Household Hospital.
The blood test on the Empress Emerita came after she had been…